Member News – 07 January 2026

7 January 2026

Your weekly member email from Logistics UK sharing the latest updates addressing industry-relevant developments, legislation and compliance updates and campaigns to help you stay informed.

In this issue:

• Government publishes Road Safety Strategy.
• Government launches its consultation on a possible HGV mandate.
• Department for Transport increases plug-in grants for HGVs.
• Mode shift grants.
• 2026 Logistics Industry Survey now live.
• Call for evidence on the approval and marking of road vehicles.
• New Traffic Commissioner appointed in Scotland.
• DfE Future Essential Digital Skills Standards consultation.
• Make Work Pay: trade union right of access consultation.
• Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) Enforcement.
• Member Advice Centre closed – Thursday 8 January.
• Clean Air Zone briefing note – January update.

Government publishes Road Safety Strategy

The Department for Transport (DfT) published, on 7 January, its long-awaited Road Safety Strategy. This contains a number of consultations and initiatives designed to decrease the amount of people killed or seriously injured on the nation’s road network. The full Strategy paper can be read here.

GB type approval and safety technologies

One such initiative is a consultation on mandating 18 vehicle safety technologies for mass-produced vehicles seeking GB type approval, aiming to reduce collisions and casualties, align GB and EU/NI standards, avoid divergent vehicle specifications and associated costs, support UK automotive innovation and competitiveness, and reduce trade barriers. The proposals include transitional arrangements for new vehicle types and registrations, seek views on ensuring technologies are retained and maintained throughout a vehicle’s life, and maintain exemptions for small series, individual approvals and special purpose vehicles. Logistics UK is currently preparing its response to this consultation, recognising the significance of this issue, and will finalise and submit its full response ahead of the government’s deadline of 31 March 2026. Members can submit their views to Arthur Gribbin.

The consultation can be found here.

Work-Related Risk Charter

The Strategy will also result in the drafting of a Work-Related Risk Charter aimed at those who are required to drive for work, which will be developed in collaboration with industry to promote good practice and accountability of organisations and their workers. The Charter will be reviewed after two years to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing work related road risk, and the DfT reserves the right to initiate regulatory action if found to be unsatisfactory. Logistics UK will be seeking participation in the drafting process for the Charter.

Other initiatives contained in the Strategy include a consultation on minimum learning periods for licence acquisition, changes to penalties for motoring offences, and mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers.

Government launches its consultation on a possible HGV mandate

The government has published its long-awaited consultation on a New Heavy Goods Vehicle CO₂ Emissions Regulatory Framework for the United Kingdom, which looks at the possible introduction of regulations to increase the uptake of zero-emission HGVs.  

Within the consultation, the government reaffirms its commitment to the phase-out dates for new non zero emission HGVs (2035 for vehicles up to 26 tonnes and 2040 for vehicles over 26 tonnes). In order to achieve these phase-out dates, the consultation explores three regulatory approaches: strengthened CO₂ standards, a manufacturer ZEV mandate, and fleet level adoption requirements.  

Logistics UK will be responding to this consultation. If your organisation is responding, or you would like to feed into our response, please reach out to Lamech Solomon by February 20.  

The deadline for responses is 17 March 2026. 

Department for Transport increases plug-in grants for HGVs

The government has announced amendments to the Plug-in Truck Grant for electric HGVs in Great Britain, increasing the amount that operators can apply for this financial year.  

The amendment has created four weight categories, replacing the ‘small’ and ‘large’ categories from previous years. The grants for small trucks (between 4.25-12 tonnes) have increased from £16,000 to £20,000. The large truck category has been split into three new weight categories. Zero emission HGVs weighing between 12-18 tonnes can receive grants up to £60,000, those weighing between 18-26 tonnes can receive up to £80,000, and those weighing more than 26 tonnes can receive up to £120,000. 

The Plug-in Truck Grant is fundamental to the continued uptake of electric HGVs and Logistics UK has welcomed this step forward which helps support the total cost of ownership for electric HGVs. However, as the government has only committed to retaining this level of funding until March this year, Logistics UK is calling for more certainty that these new rates will be maintained far beyond March 2026. 

Mode shift grants

The Department for Transport has announced the Mode Shift Revenue Support and Waterborne Freight Grant schemes have been extended to 31 March 2027. The closing date for MSRS funding applications is 6 February 2026.

Logistics UK has campaigned for this funding to be continued and welcomes this news.

For further information on the funding and how to contact the grants team, click here.

2026 Logistics Industry Survey now live

This week, Logistics UK has launched its annual Logistics Industry Survey, which is invaluable for the in-depth assessment of how the industry is performing and highlights key issues the sector is experiencing and could face in the future.

The survey is fundamental to the annual Logistics Report and all respondents receive a complimentary copy of the full report worth £600 on publication in the summer.  

The survey seeks member views, perceptions and experiences of the logistics sector and covers trading patterns, operations, the economic outlook as well as thoughts on innovation, decarbonisation, skills and infrastructure. 

All members are encouraged to share their views here before the closing date on 31 January 2026.  

Answers are confidential and only used for the purpose of the compilation of the Logistics Report. Respondents can save answers and return to complete it, if need be.  

If members have any question about the survey, please contact the Insights Team.

Call for evidence on the approval and marking of road vehicles

On 18 December 2025, the government confirmed its intention to legislate for mandatory dual GB and EU type approval and vehicle marking, unless manufacturers can demonstrate that they will adopt dual marking voluntarily. To support this process, the Department for Transport has published a call for evidence to better understand the factors preventing some vehicles from being dual marked, and to identify practical solutions.

Logistics UK is currently preparing its response to this call for evidence, recognising the significance of this issue for vehicle supply chains and fleet operations across the UK.

Logistics UK will finalise and submit its full response ahead of the government’s deadline of 12 February 2026. If members would like to share thoughts, please contact Arthur Gribbin before the closing date.

New Traffic Commissioner appointed in Scotland

Following a recruitment campaign, Sharon Clelland has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport as a Traffic Commissioner, covering Scotland.

Sharon joins the Traffic Commissioners from her role as Head of Legal Services for the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, the independent body providing regulatory oversight of policing in Scotland.

A qualified solicitor for over 23 years, Sharon brings extensive legal experience in policing and the justice sector having worked previously for the Police Service of Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

She will start in the role on 6 April 2026. Further details are available on the government website here.

DfE Future Essential Digital Skills Standards Consultation

Logistics UK has responded to the Department for Education (DfE’s) Future Essential Digital Skills Standards consultation, highlighting that digital skills are now essential across all logistics roles and continue to become more advanced. The response emphasised the importance of basic digital literacy, confidence using sector-specific systems, data interpretation, cyber awareness and adaptability. Logistics UK also flagged clear digital skills gaps among new entrants, particularly in confidence, data literacy and familiarity with logistics systems. Looking ahead, the submission stressed the growing impact of automation, AI, data analytics and low-carbon technologies, and called for more employer-aligned, flexible and modular training provision, supported by better funding and clearer progression pathways.

DfE is planning to hold a 60-minute focus group session for employers on essential digital skills. Members interested in participating can sign up here and DfE will be in touch with an invitation to the session and further details.

Make Work Pay: trade union right of access consultation

This consultation sought views on proposals to introduce a new statutory right for trade unions to access workplaces, including the process for requesting access, the role of the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC), model terms, timeframes and enforcement.

Logistics UK has responded to the consultation, emphasising support for positive employment relations and voluntary union engagement. The response calls for a proportionate and targeted framework that protects existing voluntary arrangements, focuses access on workplaces where none currently exists and where there is evidence of workforce interest, extends compressed timelines, and ensures the CAC is adequately resourced to avoid unnecessary disruption to critical logistics operations.

Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) Enforcement

An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) allows travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons for up to six months. An ETA costs £16.

The overall message from the Home Office is that everyone needs evidence of their permission to travel, or proof of exemption, to travel to the UK. For some, this will mean a change to the way they have previously travelled to the UK, and they will need to take steps now to avoid delays, complications or possibly being refused boarding in the future.

• ETA eligible national – must obtain an ETA before travel. The quickest way to apply for an ETA is using the UK ETA App . From 25 February 2026, the ETA requirement will be strictly enforced, and carriers will not board eligible visitors without one. 
• The ETA webchat, which is operated by Home Office officials, Mon- Fri 9am-5pm, UK time, can be found here.
• British/Irish Citizens including those with multiple nationalities – must obtain a British/Irish passport or a Certificate of Entitlement to right of abode in their other passport.
• eVisa holders must link their current travel document to their eVisa in their UKVI account and check details are correct.

The Home Office is strongly encouraging everyone to take the appropriate actions to benefit from a smoother travel experience, avoiding potentially delays and complications or being refused boarding.

• ETA partner pack: can be found here
• eVisa partner pack: can be found here

Members can read about this further here.

Member Advice Centre closed – Thursday 8 January

Please note that the Member Advice Centre (MAC) will be closed tomorrow, Thursday 8 January, for team training.

The MAC will be collating voice and email messages during this period and will process them from 9am on Friday 9 January.

Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Upcoming works – Severn Crossing

We have been advised today that National Highways is starting works on the Severn Crossings, starting tonight (7 January).

7  January:

• Full westbound closure of the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge (POWB) between M4 J22 – J23. A Lane 1 closure is currently in place to manage the expansion joint through this evening’s peak before the full closure is installed.
• Closure from 9pm on 7 January to 6am on 8 January.
• Required in order to carry out emergency works to expansion joints on the structure, we will utilise this closure to carry out further maintenance work.
• Diversion via M48 Severn Bridge using off and on closures at M48 J1 and J2 with traffic signals on the roundabouts to ensure the freight levels remain acceptable.
• In line with its commitment, during the M4 closure freight will be allowed to use the M48 Severn Bridge as above.
• National Highways is actively engaged with the Met Office and is confident the M48 will remain available throughout the night.

8 January:

• Full westbound closure of the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge (POWB) between M4 J22 – J23.
• Closure from 9pm on 8 January to 6am on 9 January.
• Required in order to carry out emergency works to expansion joints on the structure, we will utilise this closure to carry out further maintenance work.
• Diversion via M48 Severn Bridge using off and on closures at M48 J1 and J2 with traffic signals on the roundabouts to ensure the freight levels remain acceptable.
• In line with its commitment, during the M4 closure freight will be allowed to use the M48 Severn Bridge as above.
• There is a risk of high winds tomorrow – if the M48 is not available as a diversion route then the closure will not take place. On top of the winds there is a high risk of the lengthier land diversion route being impacted by snow.

12 and 13 January

• Full westbound closure of the M48 Severn Bridge between J1 and J2.
• Closures from 8pm to 6am both nights.
• Required in order to carry out surfacing repairs, coring and survey work.
• Diversion via the M4 POWB.

14 January

• Full eastbound closure of the M48 Severn Bridge between J2 and J1.
• Closure from 8pm on 14 January to 6am on 15 January.
• Required in order to carry out surfacing repairs, coring and survey work.
• Diversion via the M4 POWB.

20 January

• Full westbound closure of the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge (POWB) between M4 J22 – J23.
• Closure from 8pm on 20 January to 6am on 21 January.
• Required in order to carry out essential works to expansion joints on the structure, we will utilise this closure to carry out further maintenance work.
• Diversion via M48 Severn Bridge using off and on closures at M48 J1 and J2 with traffic signals on the roundabouts to ensure the freight levels remain acceptable.
• In line with its commitment, during the M4 closure freight will be allowed to use the M48 Severn Bridge as above.

30 January – 2 February

• Full westbound weekend closure of the M48 Severn Bridge between J1 and J2.
• Closure from 8pm on Friday 30 January to 6am on Monday 2 February.
• Required in order to carry out essential works to expansion joints on the structure, we will utilise this closure to carry out further maintenance work.
• This closure was postponed in December to reduce the impact of numerous closures in the area.
• Diversion via the M4 POWB.

Updates can be found on the website here.

Clean Air Zone briefing note – January update

Logistics UK has updated its monthly members-only Clean Air Zone (CAZ) briefing note. The document covers Logistics UK’s policy position on urban air quality restrictions and contains information on all CAZs in development, including Low Emission Zones (LEZs) and other clean air measures proposed for cities across the UK. The briefing note will continue to be updated as further information is received and when other air quality schemes emerge. 

Logistics UK encourages members to share feedback on their experiences with the Clean Air Zones that have now been implemented. Please share your feedback with Stephanie Haszczyn outlining the details of your experience. Logistics UK’s Member Advice Centre is available to support members with technical or operational questions about CAZs.

Average EU and UK forecourt prices

Please find the average EU and UK forecourt prices here.